Police search for suspected serial rapist

February 28, 2008 3:13:50 AM PST

HOUSTON --

Investigators from the Houston Police Department Sex Crimes Unit have released composite sketches of a suspect believed responsible for committing at least four sexual assaults on the southwest side of Houston since September 27, 2007. The suspect is described as a medium to dark complected black male, 24 to 30 years of age, about six feet tall and about 150 to 180 pounds. He has a slender build, is clean-shaven, with an unknown hair type. He was dressed in a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt with dark pants. On one occasion, he wore a blue shirt, dark-colored sweat pants and a beanie type cap. The suspect was armed with a kitchen knife.

The four sexual assaults have similarities suggesting the same person might have committed all of them. The dates and locations of the incidents are:

9301 Dairy View Lane at 1:20 a.m. on Sept. 27.

9406 Dairy Ashford at 4 a.m. on Dec. 26.

9301 Dairy View Lane at 6:50 a.m. on Jan. 20

9301 Dairy View Lane at 2:10 a.m. on Feb. 19

In each incident, an adult female victim was assaulted in the residence or the parking lot of the apartment complex. The most recent assault occurred inside the victim's apartment while she was asleep. The victim was awakened by an unknown male intruder smothering her face with a pillow. The victim struggled but was overpowered by the suspect, who punched her in the face. After sexually assaulting the victim, the suspect fled out the front door of the apartment.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is urged to call the HPD Sex Crimes Unit at 713-308-1180 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.